G. -iii

6

adapted to conform to Part II of " The Native Land Settlement Act, 1907." As to the undisposed-of balance of the trust lands, the terms of the leases are similar, while the power of sale vested in the Commissioner can be exercised by the Maori Land Board. The Mangatu lands and the Whangara Block should also be administered by the Maori Land Board. In the case of the former the terms of leasing are similar to those provided for leases by the Maori Land Board; in the case of the latter the only administrative duty to be performed is that of collecting and disbursing rents; but in order that the Maori Land Board may properly administer the combined estates it is necessary that it should have a competent accountant and receiver. Balance op Native Lands. We have compiled a schedule showing the lands still in the possession of the Maoris, outside the trusts, and, so far as we have been able to ascertain, not under lease. Farming by Maoris is not carried on on the same scale and with the same heart as in the Waiapu County. It is not that the Maoris lack the capacity or desire to farm their lands, but they have been depressed by constant 1 tigation, extending over twenty years, which resulted in their losing the contro of nearly 400,000 acres of land. They seem to be dispirited and lacking in initiative. At Tolaga Bay, in the Puninga, Maraetaha, Mangatu, and Waimata districts, may be seen the small beginnings of a pastoral industry, which should be fostered even at this late day. There is urgent need of the services of a competent instructor in agriculture, and we hope that the recommendation we made in that respect in our report of the 11th July, 1907 (parliamentary paper G.-lc) will not be lost sight of. We do not hesitate to recommend that a large proportion of the lands now remaining in the hands of the Maoris of this district should be reserved for their use and occupation under Part II of " The Native Land Settlement Act, 1907." In some cases we are able to recommend leases to Maori lessees specified by the owners. We are not able to make any recommendations at present in respect of some of the lands in the last schedule. We await further information regarding them. We propose to revisit Poverty Bay some time in June to make further inquiries into the position of the trust and other lands. Summary. The information contained in the schedules may be conveniently summarised as follows : — 1. Lands under Lease. Acres East Coast Trust lands .. . . .. .. 60,768 Whangara Block .. .. .. .. .. 11,646 Mangatu No. 1 . . . . . . .. .. 47,726 Lands vested in|.the Maori Land Board . . . . 2,325 Approved by the Maori Land Board . . . . . . 29,434 Other leases (exclusive of the Wi Pere Trust Estate) .. 20,653 Total area . . . . . . . . . . 172,552 2. Lands set apart for Maori Occupation. Acres East Coast Trust lands .. .. . . . . 33,786 Whangara Block .. .. . . . . .. 679 By the Commission —Seventh Schedule (A) . . .. 23,999 Total area .. .. .. .. .. 58,464 3. Lands available for Settlement. East Coast Trust lands (for lease or Maori occupation as Acres. may hereafter be determined) .. . . . . 91.834 ' Mangatu No. 1 .. .. . . . . .. 32,020 Total area . . . . . . . . . . 123,854